How to Choose the Best Garage Door Opener System

If you’re in the market for a new garage door opener, one of the main considerations you’ll have to make is what type of system to choose. Are you looking for something basic and reliable? Is noise a concern? Do you need to lift a heavy door? These are a few of the common questions that can help people decide on the best garage door opener for their particular situation.

In today’s post, we’ll review the three main types of garage door opener systems and examine the pros and cons of each.

Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Chain drive garage door openers are the most common of the three. A metal chain attached to the motor works to lift the garage door up and down. On top of being affordable, a chain drive garage door opener is also known for being sturdy, reliable and long-lasting, providing ultimate value.

That said, there are drawbacks to chain drive garage door openers. Since all the main parts are made of metal, they tend to be noisier than other types of garage door openers. For this reason, they are best for detached garage doors where you don’t have to worry about being bothered by the noise. It’s important to note that chain drive garage door openers also require regular maintenance to ensure that the chain continues to run smoothly.

Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

If you’re concerned about the noise caused by a garage door, a belt drive garage door opener is the perfect choice. They’re known for being much quieter than chain drive garage door openers, as they use rubber belts to open and close the door. This is the best garage door opener for attached garages, particularly ones that have a bedroom above them or those that are near living spaces like nurseries that need to be kept quiet.

As you might have guessed, you can expect to pay more for the luxury of a quiet garage door. But the good news is that a belt drive garage door opener is strong, durable and built to last. With proper maintenance, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

While chain and belt drive garage door openers have similar functionality that works to pull the garage door up, a screw drive garage door opener uses a threaded metal screw that rotates to lift the door. With fewer moving parts, a screw drive garage door opener is known for its reliability. People also appreciate that this type of opener is quiet and fast.

As for negatives, one downside is that the screw threads can experience wear over time, though it’s easy enough to prevent this from happening by providing proper lubrication. Also, if you have a heavy garage door, this may not be the best choice since the extra weight can cause additional wear to the screw threads.

No matter where you are in the process of choosing a new garage door, the friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Champion Overhead Door are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Garage Door Maintenance: How to Properly Lubricate a Garage Door

Is your garage door squeaking and screeching every time it opens and shuts? That’s a telltale sign that it’s time for some garage door maintenance. In today’s post, we’ll go over the ins and outs of properly lubricating a garage door, and how you can perform this task easily with minimal supplies.

Why Should I Lubricate a Garage Door?

On top of quieting those annoying squeaking noises, lubricating a garage door is an important part of any regular garage door maintenance. The sounds that you’re hearing indicate that the parts of your garage door aren’t moving as smoothly as they should be, which can interfere with the functionality of the whole thing. By keeping up on lubrication and other maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your garage door.

What Kind of Garage Door Lubricant Should I Use?

Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of using an oil lubricant like WD-40. While WD-40 does help equipment run smoothly, it’s actually a cleaning solvent and not a proper lubricant.

We recommend purchasing a garage door lubricant designed specifically for this purpose, which you can find for cheap at most hardware or home improvement stores. They’re easy to apply in a steady stream or spray, and won’t leave a sticky residue all over the place.

You can also use any lithium- or silicone-based spray as a garage door lubricant. We like the aerosol cans with straws for reaching all the nooks and crannies.

What Parts of the Garage Door Should I Lubricate?

You’ll typically want to focus on lubricating three main parts of your garage door:

1. Rollers. The rollers are key because they are what makes the garage door go up and down. If you have nylon wheels, avoid getting lubricant on the nylon itself and instead focus on the bearings. Metal rollers don’t require this level of precision.
2. Springs. The torsion springs help open and shut the garage door, so proper lubrication is important. Use just enough garage door lubricant to help them move better.
3. Hinges.Spray the garage door lubricant at the pivot points, unless you have plastic hinges. Plastic hinges don’t need to be lubricated, and in fact the lubricant can do more harm than good.

It’s important to avoid getting garage door lubricant on the tracks of your garage door, as the grease can attract dirt and dust particles and interfere with the functioning of the door. We recommend simply wiping the tracks with a rag to clean them off.

What if the Garage Door Is Still Making Noise After?

Once you have finished lubricating the different parts of your garage door, you should notice a reduction in noise as the garage door lifts and lowers. If you find that your garage door still doesn’t seem to be functioning properly, it may be time to call in the professionals.

Here at Champion Overhead Door, we provide garage door maintenance services for clients throughout New England. No matter what is going on with your garage door, we’ve seen it all. Contact us today to see how we can help!

Choosing the Best Garage Door Opener Horsepower

When it comes to updating a garage, the first thing that most people think about is choosing the garage door itself. But there are other important decisions that must be made, such as the right garage door opener horsepower. The garage door opener works behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and seamless functionality.

In today’s post, we’ll take a look at key considerations to make when choosing the best garage door opener horsepower, and then review the three main options.

Factors to Consider

1. Garage Door Size and Weight: Are you dealing with a single or double garage door? What material(s) is it made out of? Is your garage door standard size or oversized? These are a few of the questions you’ll want to answer in order to determine the best garage door opener horsepower.
2. Longevity of Opener: Would you rather pay less up front knowing that you’ll probably need to replace your opener sooner, or spend more for a motor that’s designed to last? The longevity of the opener is an important factor to consider.
3. Other Garage Door Components: The size and weight of your garage door are only a couple of the components to keep in mind when choosing the garage door opener horsepower. You’ll also want to make sure that it’s the right fit for the specific springs, cables and tracks.

Garage Door Opener Horsepower Options

⅓ Horsepower: This is the least powerful and most affordable of all garage door opener horsepower options, but just because it’s affordable, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most cost-effective choice long-term. A ⅓ HP opener typically has a shorter lifespan than higher horsepower alternatives, though they have greater longevity with lighter weight doors, such as a single garage door made of steel. While a ⅓ HP opener can technically lift any door as long as the weight is distributed evenly, it will need to be replaced more frequently when used with heavier doors.

½ Horsepower: The most popular of all garage door opener horsepower options, the ½ horsepower opener is extremely versatile, accommodating a single or double garage door. Provided the door(s) is an average weight measuring between eight to twelve feet in width, such as a carriage-style door, a ½ HP opener should be more than enough. It’s still a pretty affordable option, and as long as the door is balanced properly, it can last quite a long time.

¾ Horsepower: Some garage doors are considerably heavier than others, particularly the ones that are oversized and/or made of wood. If you find yourself seeking a garage door opener horsepower option for this type of garage door, your best bet is ¾ HP, which is the most powerful of the three. A ¾ HP opener is the most expensive, but it’s so durable and long-lasting that it’s worth it to have a properly functioning garage door that doesn’t require constant replacements.

If you’re in the market for the best garage door opener for your home or business, the team of experienced professionals at Champion Overhead Door is here to help. We can recommend the ideal garage door opener horsepower and ensure that your garage door is properly balanced to extend the lifespan of your investment. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate!

5 DIY Workbenches for Your Garage

When it comes to garage tool storage, it doesn’t get more basic and essential than a workbench. A workbench serves a versatile purpose, storing carpentry tools and providing a surface for woodworking and other manual projects.

There are plenty of workbenches out there to choose from, but another option is to build your own. Here are five DIY workbenches to consider for your garage.

Stowaway Workbench

Need a workbench with plenty of storage that also won’t take up too much space in your garage? A stowaway workbench is exactly the type of garage tool storage for you. This simple, space-saving workbench folds up when you’re not using it, which also serves to keep your tools hidden and protected.

Click here to learn how to build this stowaway workbench from Family Handyman.

Mobile Workbench

Perhaps you don’t want to be stuck in the confines of your garage when you’re working on projects. Or maybe you share your garage workspace with a car and need to be able to move it around. With a mobile workbench, you can easily wheel everything anywhere you may want it. There are no bells and whistles with this DIY workbench, but it’s sturdy, sleek and spacious enough to fit most needs.

Click here to learn how to build this mobile workbench from Build Something.

Kids Workbench

It’s never too soon to start the kids out with their own workbench! If you have a future carpenter on your hands, this would be a great surprise for them. It’s also a fun way for them to bond with Mom or Dad when they’re at their full-size workbench. Don’t worry, just because your child has a workbench doesn’t mean you need to equip them with real tools. You can always stock the workbench with plastic tools until they’re ready for the real thing.

Click here to learn how to build this kids workbench from Fix This Build That.

Flip-top Workbench

If you require a place for stationary tools, a flip-top workbench is the garage tool storage you never knew you were missing. This workbench conserves space by providing a dual platform for bench-top tools. The revolving center section holds tools on both sides, so all you have to do is flip it depending on which one you need to use.

Click here to learn how to build this flip-top workbench from Family Handyman.

Adjustable Workbench

You’ve surely heard of adjustable stand-up desks, but what if we told you there are DIY workbenches that are also adjustable? This type of workbench is super versatile, making it perfect for a variety of different projects.

Click here to learn how to build this adjustable workbench from Auto Desk.

There are so many different ways to utilize garage space, a workbench being just one of them. No matter how you use your garage, it’s important to protect the items inside it. You can do that by getting regular maintenance on your garage door to ensure that it’s working properly. Call Champion Overhead Door today to learn more about our maintenance services and to schedule an appointment!

5 Clever Garden Tool Storage Solutions

With spring in full bloom, it’s the perfect time of year for yard work and gardening. As you’re hauling all those tools in and out of your garage, you may find yourself wishing you had a better garden tool storage solution in place. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to organize and store your tools, and most of them can be completed with inexpensive materials and a little bit of DIY know-how.

Here are five DIY yard tool storage solutions to consider for your garage:

Slat Wall

One of the biggest advantages of a slat wall is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can affix all different kinds of bins, baskets and hooks to satisfy a variety of garden tool storage needs. As your tool and supply collection grows, simply add to the wall. You can even add some character to your slat wall by painting it a funky color or decorating it, like this gorgeous slat wall over at A Beautiful Mess.

Pallet for Long-Handled Tools

Without a proper store space, you may notice that long-handled tools won’t always just stay propped up against your garage wall. After you or your car has been hit from a falling rake, you’ll probably be looking for the right way to keep these tools in place once and for all.

Fortunately, all you need is a pallet, a few screws and a drill for this easy DIY project. Simply attach the pallet vertically against one of your garage walls, being sure to use screws long enough to extend through the pallet and the wall. Since the pallet is relatively light, you won’t need to use too many screws to get the job done.

Pallet for Long-Handled Tools

Another excellent option for long-handled tool storage involves purchasing a few concrete form tubes, which you can find for under $10 apiece at any home improvement store. Use plumbing straps to secure the tubes to the garage wall and then fill them up with those long-handled tools.

Wheelbarrow Wall Storage

A wheelbarrow can take up a lot of space on the floor of your garage, which is why we recommend hanging it on the wall. This simple hack from LumberJocks uses scraps of plywood, hardwood and a few drywall screws to create wheelbarrow wall storage.

Caddy for Transporting Garden Tools

When you’re ready to transport your garden tools from the garage to your yard, an old golf bag makes an excellent garden gear caddy. It’s deep enough to hold long-handled tools, and the outer pockets can accommodate some of the smaller items you may need. Just load it up and wheel it out to your yard all in one trip instead of having to go back and forth grabbing all that gear.

While storing garden tools and other items in your garage, it’s important to make sure you have a secure space where your investments remain protected. At Champion Overhead Door, we provide residential repairs and maintenance to ensure that your garage door is always functioning properly. If you are having any issues with your garage door, contact us today!